Skip to the main content.
Apply Now Login/Renew
Apply Now Login/Renew
Law Firm Insurance
What Size Law Firm Are You?

We've crafted solutions tailored to your firm

Insurance Glossary

The world of insurance for law firms can be confusing, and difficult to navigate. We've created this glossary because these common insurance terms should be easy to understand.

Free Resources
Continuing Legal Education

Relevant. Affordable. Actionable.

Your Time is Too Valuable To Struggle Finding Quality CLE

FIND YOUR CLE COURSE

ALPS Legal Blog
← Blog Home

Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager

Since 1998, Mark Bassingthwaighte, Esq. has been a Risk Manager with ALPS, an attorney’s professional liability insurance carrier. In his tenure with the company, Mr. Bassingthwaighte has conducted over 1200 law firm risk management assessment visits, presented over 600 continuing legal education seminars throughout the United States, and written extensively on risk management, ethics, and technology. Mr. Bassingthwaighte is a member of the State Bar of Montana as well as the American Bar Association where he currently sits on the ABA Center for Professional Responsibility’s Conference Planning Committee. He received his J.D. from Drake University Law School.

4 min read

When Purchasing a Law Practice, Never Run with Assumptions

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Oct 9, 2017 12:00:00 AM

Assumptions. We all make them day after day. In fact, as I see it, doing so allows most days to progress with some level of predictability. For example, I often assume all my tech will function problem free, the power will stay on, and that if I...

Law Practice Management
Read More

4 min read

Why Declinations Really Do Need to Be Tracked

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Aug 29, 2017 12:00:00 AM

I’ve always been curious about why some attorneys never take the time to make sure that at least the name of every declined prospective client makes...

Law Practice Management
Read More

4 min read

Data Security – It’s Time to Stop Making Excuses

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Aug 18, 2017 12:00:00 AM

(Updated May 19, 2023) The days when an attorney could send an unencrypted email without worry, remain blissfully ignorant about encrypting a...

Cybersecurity
Read More

3 min read

Try Not To Be A Patsy, Seriously.

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: May 8, 2017 12:00:00 AM

I’m not sure why, but I’ve always had a fondness for the word patsy. While the word doesn’t seem to be in wide use anymore, I personally believe the...

Law Practice Management
Read More

4 min read

How To Identify The Potential Clients You Really Should Say No To

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Apr 12, 2017 12:00:00 AM

(Updated March 2024) Everyone makes a wrong decision now and again. Unfortunately, if the wrong decision was agreeing to take on a client that you...

Law Practice Management
Read More

4 min read

Don't Minimize The Importance Of Managing Your Side Of the Attorney-Client Relationship

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Feb 27, 2017 12:00:00 AM

Over the years, numerous articles have been written on how to successfully manage attorney-client relationships. Typically, these articles emphasize...

Law Practice Management
Read More

3 min read

Is The Death Of The Legal Profession Upon Us?

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Feb 8, 2017 12:00:00 AM

Over the years, I have witnessed a few vigorous debates where the point of contention was whether the practice of law is a business or a profession...

Attorney Wellness
Read More

4 min read

If You Failed To Document It, It Never Happened.

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jan 18, 2017 12:00:00 AM

(Updated March 2024) Please, can we just acknowledge that lawyers as a group are terrible when it comes to properly and thoroughly documenting their...

Law Practice Management
Read More

3 min read

Yes, Virginia, There Really Are Accidental Clients

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Dec 14, 2016 12:00:00 AM

I will share that I can appreciate a well-crafted cocktail; but I can also assure you that when I am in a situation where such beverages are being...

Law Practice Management
Read More

4 min read

When Nonprofit Boards Come Calling

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Dec 2, 2016 12:00:00 AM

Look, I get it. An opportunity to sit on the board of a local nonprofit is finally yours for the taking. Better yet, it’s a charitable cause you...

Law Practice Management
Read More

4 min read

How To Minimize The Risk Of Becoming A Victim Of Wire Fraud

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Oct 13, 2016 12:00:00 AM

Updated 07/2023 Lawyers remain a high-profile target for scammers hoping to get away with wire fraud and the attack vectors they are using continue...

Solo and Small Firm Resources Law Practice Management Cybersecurity
Read More

4 min read

How Long Do We Need To Keep Our Closed Files

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: May 17, 2016 12:00:00 AM

Updated August 2023 This question is the one question I’m asked more than any other and I get it. Although my wife is a physician, she had to deal...

Law Practice Management
Read More

5 min read

Social Media and the Attorney-Client Privilege Warning

Picture of Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager Mark Bassingthwaighte, Risk Manager: Jul 21, 2013 12:00:00 AM

I do believe as attorneys we all have a pretty good handle on the ins and outs of attorney-client privilege. It’s not been an issue for me. What...

Law Practice Management
Read More
Prev 14 15 16 17 18